Oct 11, 2012 - 10:00am

China has long since been perceived as the laggard in the climate action space, and as scapegoat for other countries, like Australia, delaying action. But this argument is increasingly difficult – if not impossible – to make in light of China’s recent policies.

China has, for a range of reasons, moved to slow the growth rate of its greenhouse emissions. The country has reduced its energy intensity, become a world leader in renewable energy, and is rapidly establishing carbon trading systems. The establishment of an emissions trading scheme in China dovetails with other global schemes, paving the way for a global climate change agreement coming into force in 2020.